The PatriotDream.org Camaro

[4birdman]

OK, here's what we're gonna do with the Camaro we're building for Shawn.

We talked with his dad and found out the car was a 67 Camaro with a 327 and a 4-spd. It was red with some 80's fab black stripes. Shawn knows the difference between a 67-68 and a 69, so we're definitely going with a 67-68 now. I'd prefer a 68 because I like that it has side markers and no vent windows.

So we're gonna build a 68 Camaro, red, with some form of factory Camaro stripe in white. RS hidden headlights, factory spoilers. (some exterior trim and rust-proofing paint thanks to POR-15)

Black interior (seat covers thanks to TA Specialties)

Late model 327 (Gen III 5.3L) donated by Strictly Performance, built by Handcrafted Racing, and wiring and computer by Painless Performance. Show cover thanks to Undercover Innovations.

6-spd transmission, pedal covers thanks to Modo Innovations

Coilover shocks, tubular a-arms, SFCs, (some suspension thanks to G-Machine Racing) and a killer stereo system.

The wheels we have not decided on yet, but I'm thinking a good 17" with a retro vibe. Something good and tasteful.

What my goal is is a good looking, stock appearing car that will be fast and reliable and handle what he wants to throw at it.



Our immediate needs (other than a 68 Camaro!) are an LS1/LS1/5.3L intake, fuel rails, injectors, valve covers, coil packs, plug wires, timing chain, and any thing else like accessory brackets and such. We have the shortblock and heads, but we need everything else to make it work in the car. Condition does not matter, as long as it isn't broken. I am planning on powdercoating everything anyway.
8)

We also need a 6-spd, swap parts, and pretty much anything you might have or think we need.

Thank you all SO MUCH for helping this become a reality. People have graciously donated a lot of money, and a TON of parts and it makes me so happy to see you guys help out to show a deserving serviceman how much you appreciate what he does for every one of us. 8)

[GT500KR_Vert]

Wait, a dude is over in Iraq and is getting an awesome car because of it? It doesn't seem cool to use going to Iraq as a way to raise fund/part for someone. There are alot better things for a lot of other guys over there that can be done. If you wanted to do something send candy, magazines, etc to the soliders over there. Things sucked there. You don't have much and getting packages and letters from family is great. Getting them from people you don't even know with nice little notes makes you feel awesome. Or donate money to fund or families of the soldiers who don't come back or can't work again when they do because they got too hurt.

[4birdman]

I already do all that. Everything that we don't use on the car will be donated to the USO as well.

I'm not using Iraq as a way to get this car built, I'm building this car for him to show our appreciation. I'm using an assload of my own personal money for this as well, and also putting one of my projects that I've been working on for 3 years into storage to build this one.

I'm guessing you've been over there, so I'd also like to thank you for your service.

[socalfandabodys]

Im currently deployed over here. It sucks and being a crew chief on a helo, we have to do HERO missions on a daily basis. Nice to see someone doing something for the guys over here. Whether its sending packages or building a car for someone I say more power to you. I had a buddy just get back from 2 weeks of R&R. Funny thing is it seems like no one cares about us over here anymore. They asked if anyone on the plane would be willing to give up seats for any of the soldiers trying to get home and see their families for 2 weeks. Guess what, not one person gave up their seat. Thanks america. Glad to still be serving you guys!

[4birdman]

That's another thing I'm hoping comes out of this project. Some awareness and respect for our soldiers. I always go out of my way to thank and help a soldier, and I hate it when people don't do the same. I will keep the webpage up, even after the project is done, and have a link to the USO to donate directly.

Thank you very much for your service and for protecting our freedoms.

[GT500KR_Vert]

Yeah, I was over there. Not a fun place. I went over to help with the IED problem in an effort to stop them from blowing up our guys. I was there last year.

[4birdman]

I recieved some pedal covers from Modo Innovations today and they are amazing. The quality of these things is amazing, I absolutely love them! They are gonna look killer in the car and once I get the Bandit in one piece again I am going to order some for it. They are insanely cool.

[Roger Poirier]

$100 grand more and you are there!

[4birdman]

I know, that's the way it is sometimes, isn't it?

[4birdman]

Hey guys, since so many of you have helped out, I want to keep you guys updated.

The Gen III 5.3L engine should be here soon, National Parts Depot was kind enough to offer a spot on one of their trucks for our engine to get it to NC from Cali. I need a lot of parts for it still, like the accessory brackets, throttle body, coils, etc. Basically right now it is a shortblock, heads are in my garage, and an intake donated by a guy in Carolina F-body Club. My friend Joel at HRT is doing the work on it, but I need the parts to put it together. Painless has also donated the wiring, cam, and engine management system. Mike at Sulski Performance has graciously donated the tuning. 8)

We've also found the car, but we're about $700 short. I'm trying to work a deal with the guy to hold it for me, though. He came off the price about $1300 to get it close to what we had so far, so I'd really like to grab this one. It is a 68 that has a solid body, but needs some rust repair on the rear quarters and some other small spots. It is a project car, but with the way people are coming together for this project it'll be an amazing car when we're done! I'm hoping to have someone go look at it soon so we can have it shipped from Il back to it's new home in NC.

I'm working on securing the brakes now (LS1 brakes all around) with some donated rotors from RotorsOnline.com and some calipers that my friend Russ gave me (after I rebuild those 200k monsters!) and my friend CE had donated the master cylinder, booster, and part. valve.

So that's where we're at right now, it is coming together nicely, just need a few more bucks to secure the car. I'm gonna have a meeting with my family this weekend and see if we can come up with the other $700, I don't see that being a problem.

[dropit69]

im in IL where is car at i could go look for ya?

[4birdman]

It's in Durand. If you could check it out and take a ton of pictures for me, it would be GREAT! I'm probably going to send the guy a deposit tonight or tomorrow, but I want to be absolutely sure before I ship it home.

[4birdman]

Well, the guy sold it out from under me. Thanks for holding it, huh?

So the search is back on. But we did get more parts!

Special thanks to Twist Machine! They donated a set of their core support bars and one of their cowl induction billet trim plates. These things are amazing, top notch quality and they look great! As a mechanical designer by profession, I must say these are some fine looking pieces.






Can a moderator merge my threads for me and move them to the projects forum?

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Can a moderator merge my threads for me and move them to the projects forum?

PM me links to the all of the threads you would like to be merged together.

[WS6]

Sorry to hear the car was sold out from under you. Don't worry you'll find a better one soon anyway.

[Steve Chryssos]

Glad you like 'em.

[4birdman]

5.3L heads that we had sitting on the shelf in the shop heading over tomorrow to HRT Performance to be reworked

[4birdman]

Got the brake booster! Complete LS1 brake setup here we come.

We got a lead on the car, too! A guy has a 67 and he is building a 68 for his son who is a Marine in Iraq. We have talked about it and they want us to get the car, so we're working out all the details now. :D

[4birdman]

The engine will be at the machine shop in about two weeks or so, then the rebuild begins. Sold a bunch of Trans Am parts I had sitting on the shelf and bought some stuff for the engine. Got some sweet red anodized aluminum fuel rails with blue AN fittings and braided line.

Also got a set of stock valve covers that I'm going to smooth out and powdercoat wrinkle black, a set of LS1 injectors and clips, LS6 valve springs, and an LS1 Throttle body that I'm going to P&P.

So here's the engine combo that I'm going to go with.

Gen III 5.3L out of a 2005 truck with block painted black, donated by Strictly Performance (shipping by National Parts Depot)
LS1 intake smoothed and powdercoated bare aluminum color
Red anodized fuel rail, LS1 injectors, blue AN fittings, and braided line
Wrinkle black valve covers
LS1 TB powdercoated Super Chrome
Cam included in HI-RPM kit
HI-RPM kit donated by Painless Performance
5.3L heads, 3-angled and milled, LS6 springs, left bare aluminum
LS4 oil pump
Engine and heads will be built and assembled thanks to a donation by HRT Performance.

Can't wait to see this thing built, it's gonna look sexy.

[4birdman]

Lightning Auto Customs has donated a shift boot for a T56 in a 67 Camaro, along with the plans for the bezel, which I am going to draw up in SolidWorks and have made up. This thing is NICE! They also hooked us up with some vinyl decals.

Our engine will also be at the terminal next Wednesday, so then the fun begins with that! Big thanks to National Parts Depot for the free ride for our engine on one of their trucks cross-country!